The Indian Premier League (IPL) has continued to unearth promising cricketers from every corner of India, and one such emerging star is Yudhvir Singh Charak from Jammu and Kashmir. Charak, a right-arm pacer, found a spot in Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, stepping in for Tushar Deshpande.

This was Charak’s second appearance for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, following his franchise debut against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. Although he went wicketless against Punjab, Charak bowled first change against Gujarat Titans but struggled with his economy, conceding 38 runs in his three overs without picking up a wicket.

Journey of Yudhvir Singh Charak

Born in Roop Nagar, Jammu, Charak completed his schooling at KC International Pestle Weed School. Although a native of Jammu, his first-class debut came for Hyderabad in 2019 before he eventually moved back to represent his home state.

Charak, known for his raw pace, polished his craft in the domestic U19 circuit before stepping into senior cricket. His IPL journey began in 2021 when he was signed by a franchise but did not get an opportunity to play. It was in IPL 2023 with Lucknow Super Giants that he finally made his IPL debut, impressively taking two wickets in his first match.

Before the IPL 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals secured Charak for ₹35 lakhs. So far, he has featured in seven IPL matches across three seasons—three in 2023, two in 2024, and two in the current season—claiming a total of four wickets.

The cricketing world was left awestruck by Rajasthan Royals’ 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a stunning maiden century in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite the young sensation’s heroics in chasing down a massive target of 210 runs against Gujarat Titans, GT captain Shubman Gill’s reaction post-match has stirred controversy.

Speaking after the heavy defeat, Gill downplayed Suryavanshi’s achievement, stating, “It was his (lucky) day. His hitting was just tremendous, and he made full use of his day.” His restrained praise did not sit well with several cricket analysts and fans, many of whom expected a more generous acknowledgment.

Former India batter Ajay Jadeja notably expressed his disappointment with Gill’s remarks. During a broadcast conversation, Jadeja emphasized the importance of recognizing the magnitude of Suryavanshi’s feat. “But a 14-year-old to believe in himself, the amount that he believes in himself, and to take it that far, even if it’s, you know, one day like some player on television just said, oh, it was just his lucky day,” Jadeja remarked before his commentary was interrupted by the presentation ceremony.

Suryavanshi’s innings not only turned the match on its head but also etched his name into the record books. He became:

• The youngest player to score a T20 century,
• The fastest Indian to hit a century in TATA IPL history,
• The second-fastest player overall to achieve this milestone in the league.
  

Later, Jadeja delved deeper into the significance of the moment, applauding Suryavanshi’s fearless approach. “All of us who played cricket dreamt of moments like this. At 14, most can only imagine such glory, but he has lived it,” Jadeja noted.

He also praised the supportive environment created by the Rajasthan Royals coaching staff, led by Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour, highlighting how they allowed the youngster to “keep flowing and keep blossoming.” According to Jadeja, it was not just the skill but the mindset of Suryavanshi that stood out the most.

As reactions continue to pour in, Suryavanshi’s sensational innings has become a moment of pride and reflection for Indian cricket, showcasing the arrival of a remarkable new talent.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is heading into its most thrilling phase yet, with playoff dreams hanging by a thread for several teams. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) strengthened their qualification prospects with a commanding six-wicket victory against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday, a result that not only lifted them to the top of the points table but also pushed their playoff probability to an impressive 88%.

Following RCB’s win, the latest playoff qualification odds have come into focus, showing a mixed bag of fortunes for various franchises as per a Monte Carlo Simulation analysis.

RCB, GT, and DC lead the race; MI and PBKS in the hunt

RCB are almost certain to progress, likely finishing the league stage with 18 to 20 points, translating to nine or ten wins. Gujarat Titans (GT) are close behind with an 82% chance, banking on their games in hand to secure 16 to 18 points.

Delhi Capitals, despite their home loss to RCB, maintain a healthy 70% chance of qualifying. They are expected to close the league with around 16 points, thanks to their consistent performances earlier this season.

Mumbai Indians (MI), currently enjoying a winning streak, have a 65% chance of reaching the playoffs. Their fate largely hinges on the outcome of closely contested matches in the final rounds.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) stand at a 50% probability after a mid-season dip. Though their strong start has been offset by recent setbacks, they remain in contention.

Tough road ahead for LSG, KKR, SRH, RR, and CSK

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have only a 25% chance to qualify, with a near-flawless run needed in their remaining fixtures. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) find themselves with just a 10% chance, relying heavily on other results.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have seen their playoff hopes dwindle to 5% and 3% respectively after a string of defeats. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under MS Dhoni’s leadership, cling to a slim 2% chance, with even maximum wins possibly falling short.

Simulation methodology

The projections were drawn from simulating the remaining IPL 2025 matches 10,000 times using a Monte Carlo method. Each team’s final points tally was determined by simulating win probabilities, factoring in tie-breakers like net run rate (NRR) where necessary.